Friday, April 23, 2010

T is for Time

Tuesday I asked all of you if there were any questions you wanted answered, and thankfully a few of you stepped up to the plate and asked me!!! I'm excited to take a bit of a break from this little A to Z Blogging Challenge... don't worry I've still applied it for today...

ACTUAL PHRASE: Time for Answers

See told you I'd make it work! So on to the questions!

The Alliterative Allomorph asked - How often do you actually read and comment on your followers blogs? Are you able to get to each and every one of them at least once a week? And if so, HOW?????

My rule of thumb is anyone who comments on my blog will get a visit from me that week! Normally it's a daily thing, I love comments and know how much they mean to me so I can only imagine they feel the same to everyone else! Now I can't visit 400 blogs every day, but those 40+ who comment... they for sure get my blog love!!

Justine Dell asked - Why did you start writing?

I'm sure everyone is curious about this. I had racked my brain for years on what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn't have an answer, I wanted to be EVERYTHING! One day I sat down and asked myself "How could I do it all?" and writing popped into my head, now I've always written stories just never taken it seriously, until one day I picked up a piece of paper and a pen and viola!! I now call myself a writer!

Christina Lee asked - Are you in the query stage now or still editing?

For those of you who don't know I am indeed finished with my first draft, this happened just recently. I am now in the editing stage and working hard to improve what I had at the beginning. I know that won't be hard since my first draft is currently a war zone! So as much as I'd like to be in the querying stage I'm not quite there!!

Saumya asked - How far along are you with your project??

I answered this above, however just to recap I'm finished with the first draft and have approx. 15K words revised.

Crystal Cook asked two questions: First question - How did you write your MS so fast without getting stuck?

For all of you who don't know I finished my MS in 5 weeks, I think I had only one moment when I was truly stuck and it wasn't for lack of ideas. I had to bounce some ideas off of my husband to iron it all out to fit on the pages, however my muse bothered me so much that not writing wasn't an option. I worked 7-4pm came home, ate dinner and then began writing. I made sure to go to bed at a decent hour and when frustrated I would shut the laptop down and go to bed. I think that my getting stuck phase has hit when I started to revise. So I guess for every writer there is a brick wall to crush, mine just happens to be a different stage!!

Second question - What's your favorite band?

Hmm I can't say that I'm that in to music, I don't even know a whole lot of bands, however I do enjoy Paramore and A Fine Frenzy. Imogen Heap is also someone who truly moves me, and is great inspiration for my writing!

Amy Saia asked - Have you ever taken dance classes?

No, and if you saw me dance you would know this to be true! I'd love to take dance classes and do the salsa, and a little hip hop, but I'm your average white girl dancer, it's just not there!!!

AND FOR THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION:

MT
Amber Tidd Murphy
Alexandra Crocodile
Mary

What's your secret, How did you manage, and how the hell is it possible that you reached 400+ followers in two months?

I'm a witch who spends her time collecting followers rather than saving the Wizarding World from Lord Voldemort (Yes I've watched a little too much Harry Potter).

I'm not sure how I've received all of the love, but I'm not taking it granted for even a second! I still notice when someone stops following, it makes me sad (Yes I'm talking to the three of you who left me yesterday) but if my blog doesn't suit you then I don't want you to feel that you have to stay! If I new the secret I would give it to you...

I suppose it could be the little secret sparkles I send to everyone over the blogosphere... here take some and see if it works!!!

Hearing your first draft was penned in five weeks inspires me to do better. I read on someone's blog recently that it's not about saying "I am a writer," it's about saying "I (do) write stories." For me, that was an a-ha moment. The verb I need to concentrate on is "do!"

I'm only following 200 (?) blogs and already I cannot keep up. I think it's amazing that you manage to keep up with so many! Your method of doing it, however, seems like an awesome one. Definitely adopting it for my own! :)

Christina - I might take you up on the offer one of these days! When my WIP is in better shape!!

Nicole - You're so right!!! Good Luck!

Sandy - DON'T PANIC! That's about all I can say on the subject. Take one day and one blog at a time. People have to respect you can't visit them all! I do what I can!

Laura - You're so right, there is no real method to the madness!!

Theresa - Every person needs a little more sparkle sometimes!! Yes the revising is a little tough, but I think I'm getting the hang of it! Thanks to everyone's words yesterday I have things to work on!!

For all of you who don't like word verification I decided to take it off and after 3 minutes of having it off I received an anonymous comment about healthcare and a bunch of mumbo jumbo, so I apologize but the word verification must stay on! Love me anyway!! :)

400 followers in 2 months is quite remarkable. Like you I attempt to show attention to anyone who has commented on my posts via a response on said post and a visit to one of their posts where I leave a comment. I like having followers, but I think it is important to nurture the readers who actually comment. As I have time I tried to flit about on other sites as well, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult.

ha your blog is AWESOME! that's how you got 400+ followers! And harry potter is addicting, it's ok :) lol. And DAY-UM! 5 weeks is really spectacular! Sometime you just have to get it all out onto paper to feel that relief and accomplishment! Keep going girl! You Rock!

Jen, I think what comes thru is your sincerity. You are the real deal who happens to be extremely talented. The combo sprinkles magic dust on all around you and, in this era of so much greed, it's just nice to encounter someone who gives and doesn't always take.

The way you've built your blog in such a short time is an amazing accomplishment. I can't believe anyone would ever leave - I love it here! And I absolutely love that you comment on your commenters blogs - I try to do the same thing daily, but some days there just isn't enough time.

Jen, I think you've managed to get such a blog following becuase you are infectiously nice and positive and people are drawn to that. I bow down to your blogger awesomeness. In fact, I gave you an award on my blog.

I know why you have so many followers - because you deserve them! I want to say a big thank you for taking the time to visit my daughters' book review blog and commenting, they were thrilled. You're one of the special ones who takes the time to encourage others, that's a beautiful gift.

As way of thanks I have some awards for you on my blog post today:http://clancytales.blogspot.com/2010/04/t-is-for-timelines-and-thanks.html

T.J. - You're so right it's awful when the idea is stuck inside your head but it feels awesome to write it all down!

Kittie - You are the sweetest ever!!! I really appreciate the kind words, they mean the world to me! I'm giving you a little sparkle :)

Robyn - Thanks!!! Always sweet!

Ellie - Love your blog!! You deserve some sparkles as well!

Susan - You are so nice!! Thank you so much for the sweet words! They keep me inspired!

Jamie - You're more than welcome!

Amber - I can't share all my secrets!!

Angie - Thank you so much!!! I have my award and will be giving it away tomorrow! You're too kind!

Charmaine - You have two special girls. I think it's amazing that they have taken on their own special blog to share books they love. I can't wait to create something like that with my unborn children! There latest post was so cute, I'm going to have to check out these books!

TerryLynn - Thank you! I do don't I! You should know you're one of them!